St Lomans Mullingar Club Notes 14/10/2024:
Shay Murtagh Senior Championship Final:
St Lomans Mullingar 1-13 The Downs 1-13
Last Saturday the crowd in TEG Cusack Park were treated to one of the most entertaining senior finals in recent memory. The two best teams in Westmeath, St Lomans Mullingar and The Downs went toe-to-toe to produce a rip-roaring affair with a phenomenal display of shooting on show. John Heslin’s scores in the first minute set the tone for a tremendous game when he kicked a beautiful curling effort from range. The dream start continued minutes later when Heslin found Fola Ayorinde in the square and the latter spun his marker and managed to beat Trevor Martin with a low shot into the net.
The Downs responded excellently with two excellent points from Ian Martin before a stunning Luke Loughlin goal put the black and amber ahead. The sides went on to trade scores with Heslin at the double for the defending champions, Loughlin and Conor Coughlan on target for the challengers. Ciaran Nolan doubled his side lead but a trio of scores before half time saw the saints regain the lead with Sam McCartan hitting two stunning points either side of a John Heslin free. Lomans were arguably a tad fortunate to be ahead with the Downs probably shading the first half, but this thriller had many twists and turns to come.
Paddy Dowdall’s men were once again the quicker out of the blocks with Danny and Sam McCartan both pointing at the start of the half. Loughlin responded for the Downs before an outrageous point from Sam McCartan restored the three-point cushion. However, a trio of scores from Kevin O’Sullivan, Luke Loughlin and Charlie Drumm levelled proceedings. Once again though, the Mullingar side responded with another superb Heslin double. Niall Mitchell and Andrew Kilmartin then opened their accounts to draw the sides level with five minutes remaining.
Ronan O’Toole picked the perfect time to open his account with a beautiful left footed point to nudge his side ahead going down the home straight. The drama was not finished there though as Nathan Lally raced through the middle of the downs defence with no defenders between him and the goalkeeper. Lally won the ball excellently and managed to stay ahead of his marker and appeared to be fouled but play was waved on, a free would subsequently be awarded at the other end with Loughlin levelling proceedings.
Loughlin’s long-rang effort in injury-time looked to have won the game for Johnny Murray’s side. However, the county champions showed their true character and did not panic. A patient move ended with Eoghan Hogan ghosting through the Downs defence unmarked. After being found by Heslin the corner back made himself the unlikely hero when he sensibly took his point and tying up the match. The final whistle saw some confusion as to whether there would be extra time but after a short delay, it was announced the match would go to a replay.
Ultimately this was probably the fairest result with both sides and referee Enda Kelly contributing to a true classic and all involved are to be applauded. There were several performances overall which were extremely impressive. Darragh O’Keefe was excellent at full-back, Oisín Hogan and Eoghan Hogan also performed well. However it was two talisman that stood out, John Heslin and Sam McCartan. Heslin’s quality of ball striking was sensational, and he gave an exhibition in midfield. Sam McCartan was outstanding scoring four points from wing-back and covering every blade of grass in the process. It’s almost impossible to separate either for man of the match and the opinion would be split evenly among supporters. Purely for the fact he operated at wing-back Sam McCartan shades the accolade on this occasion.
So after all that we do it all again next Saturday in TEG Cusack Park with time to be confirmed. We brought an excellent crowd last Saturday and we need to do that again next Saturday if we are to urge Paddy Dowdall’s side over the line!
Team; Jason Daly, Oisín Hogan, Darragh O’Keefe, Eoghan Hogan (0.01), Enda Gaffney, David Whelan, Sam McCartan (0.04, 0.01f), Jack Geoghegan, John Heslin (0.06, 0.03f), Kevin Regan, Ronan O’Toole (0.01), Sean Flanagan, Danny McCartan (0.01), Fola Ayorinde (1.00), Peter Foy. Subs used; Kelvin Reilly, TJ Cox, Nathan Lally.
Under 16 Girls Championship Final:
St Lomans Mullingar 3-12 Garrycastle 3-06
Last Sunday on a cold autumnal morning saw the climax of the under sixteen ladies’ division one championship. The pairing saw a repeat of the previous year with St. Lomans Mullingar going in as heavy favourites against a young, emerging Garrycastle side. Last year saw the blues win comprehensively but, on this occasion, it turned out to be a more even affair. The Mullingar side were heavily fancied with their team featuring two of their senior stars from the previous weekend (Katie Kilmurray and Shannon Breslin).
The opening quarter saw the saints threaten to run away with it in the early stages. Four unanswered points courtesy of Evie Kilmurray, Katie Kilmurray and a Shannon Breslin double saw Lomans race ahead. Following this, two stunning individual goals courtesy of Evie Kilmurray and Katie Kilmurray put the defending champions into a double-digit lead. At this point, Garrycastle could have been forgiven for dropping their heads and succumbing to a heavy defeat. However, the Shannon-siders showed great mental resolve to claw themselves back into the game.
The second quarter almost saw a role reversal of the first with Garrycastle well on top in both territory and on in the scoreboard with a goal and four points consecutively. Elianna McManus got the ball rolling for the underdogs before further points from the impressive trio of Aislinn Kelly, Amelie Henson and Jane Byrne. Henson was on hand moments later to net after a powerful run to leave just three points between the sides at the interval. A real tale of two quarters in the first half.
Garrycastle continued their fightback in the second half and an instant goal well-taken goal from Erin McHugh brought the sides level. Crucially though Garrycastle never managed to get their noses in front and slowly but surely Lomans were able to restore their lead. Five points on the spin via Maddie Mulderry, Eleanor Corcoran and a treble from Katie Kilmuarry gave the saints breathing space. Jane Byrne responded for her team with a well-executed free to leave four between the sides with just ten minutes left on the clock.
The defining moment was on fifty minutes when Katie Kilmurray managed to get away from her numerous markers and raced through the middle before firing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. The sides then traded scores with Evie Kilmurray and Aislinn Kelly both on target. Two excellent late scores from Shannon Breslin increased the gap before Garrycastle were awarded a penalty in injury time which was excellently dispatched by Erin McHugh.
Remarkably Lomans were also awarded a late penalty in a long-injury time passage. However, after some protests from the Garrycastle defenders and consultation with his umpires, Jim Rock overturned his original decision, probably the correct decision in the end. The full time whistle was blown and with it the Saints were victorious by a margin of six points, claiming their fourth under sixteen title in a row.
A super game of football with a lot of excellent individual performances on both sides. Aislinn Kelly, Erin McHugh, Jane Byrne and Amelie Henson were all superb for the silver medallists. Particularly Henson who thrived, even in defeat. Garrycastle can be unbelievably proud of their efforts, especially considering only four of their starters are actually under sixteen, the rest all made up of under fourteens. They also reacted so well to a nightmare start which says a lot about their character.
For the champions Katie McDonnell, Eleanor Corcoran, Maddie Mulderry along with substitutes Megan Charles and Lucy Kilmurray were all impressive. However, it was the trio of Shannon Breslin, Katie Kilmurray and Evie Kilmurray that separated the sides. Particularly the magic of Katie Kilmurray who managed to contribute 2-05 (2-04 from play) on a day where she was marked by up to four players simultaneously in some stages. Fittingly it was Kilmurray who was presented with the trophy as captain and lifted the cup to continue Lomans dominance at this grade in recent years.
Finally well done to all the players and the management team of Domhnall Kilmurray, Alan Quinn, Ted Cronin, Benji Norris, Ciaran McDonnell and Charmaine Corcoran
St Lomans team; Asha McCormack, Kayla Scally, Eimear Doonan, Ava Cummins, Chloe Cahill, Katie McDonnell, Norah Garry, Grainne Cleary, Shannon Breslin (0.04), Kate McDonell, Katie Kilmurray (2.05, 0.01f), Eleanor Corcoran (0.01), Maddie Mulderry (0.01), Evie Kilmurray (1.01), Ruby Higgins. Subs used; Megan Charles, Lucy Kilmurray and Lana McDermott.
Fixtures:
Saturday 19th October
Shay Murtagh Senior Championship Final Replay:
St Lomans Mullingar vs The Downs at 3pm in TEG Cusack Park
Sunday 20th October
Leinster Ladies Senior Championship Quarter Final:
St Lomans Mullingar vs Longford Slashers at 2pm in Longford Slashers
Club Lotto:
Draw Date: Monday 7th October
This week’s jackpot: €4,900.00
Numbers drawn: 7,10,20,21
No Jackpot winner
Lucky dip winners (€50 each): Paddy Dowdall and Rita Blundell
Next week’s jackpot: €5,000.00
Next Week’s Draw Date: Monday 14th October
Remember it could be you!
